Structured Abstract:

Recommendations:

 Do not screen asymptomatic population for cognitive impairment.
 Dementia can be masked in a typically structured office visit; third party observations can be important.
 Imaging is of limited value.
 Always involve the caregiver and plan on several visits to establish and inform patient/caregiver of diagnosis.
 Introduce advance care planning early.
 Polypharmacy and multimorbidity can both be causes and effects of cognitive impairment.
 Drug treatment has limited value; first consider non-pharmacological management of the behavioural and psychological
symptoms of dementia.
 Make early and regular use of adjunct services.

Development Methodology

Contact:

Was a Scientific Literature Review done?
Yes

Was a computerized literature review done?
Yes

Was the search strategy included in the CPG?
Yes

Was the quality of the evidence graded?
Yes

How was consensus reached?
On the basis of expert opinion and open discussion

Were benefits, harms and costs of the potential intervention considered?
Unknown

Was CMA Handbook on Clinical Practice Guidelines used?
Unknown

What dissemination or implementation strategies were undertaken?Guideline reminder systems (manual or computerized)Providing information about the guideline to patients/consumersDirect Mailing of guideline to membership or conference participantsDirect mail to othersDissemination of guideline via computer technologyPublishing in newsletter or journalsEducational or CME activities

Has the effectiveness of the dissemination or implementation strategies used been formally evaluated?
Unknown

Is there any evaluation plan for the future?
Unknown

Has the guideline been formally evaluated to determine its impact on patient care outcomes?
Unknown

Is there any evaluation plan for the future?
Unknown

Are there any patient documents accompanying this guideline?
Unknown

Is there any future plan for developing a patient document?
Unknown

Copyright:

The copyright of this guideline and its companion documents belongs to:
Guidelines and Protocols Advisory Committee (BC)

Disclaimer:All content is provided for information and education and not as a substitute for the advice of a physician. Joule assumes no responsibility or liability arising from any error or omission or from the use of any information contained herein.